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Home My WebLink AboutTC Minutes 2013-09-04TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES Mayor O'Donnell called the regular meeting of the Tiburon Town Council to order at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2013, in Town Council Chambers, 1505 Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon, California. PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Doyle, Fraser, Fredericks, O'Donnell, Slavitz PRESENT: Eli OFFICIO: Town Manager Curran, Town Attorney Danforth, Director of Community Development Anderson, Police Chief Cronin, Town Clerk Crane Iacopi ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. 1 91 4. �. 1. Town Council Minutes — Adopt minutes of August 21, 2013 regular meeting (Town Clerk Crane Iacopi) 2. Commendation — Adopt resolution commending Director of Community Development Anderson for 25 years of service to the Town of Tiburon (Town Manager Curran) — (continued ftom August 21 meeting) Mayor O'Donnell asked to remove Item No. 1 from the agenda. He added the following language to page 4 of the minutes under "Town Council Reports which reads, "Mayor O'Donnell expressed an interest ... in seeing a continuation of the display of public art in conjunction with the Tiburon Art Festival". MOTION: To adopt Consent Calendar Item No 2, as written. Moved: Fraser, seconded by Slavitz Vote: AYES: Unanimous MOTION: To adopt Consent Calendar Item No. 1, as amended. Moved: Fraser, seconded by Fredericks Vote: AYES: Unanimous Tolvn Council Minutes #13 -2013 September 4, 2013 Page l ACTION ITEMS 1. "Bike Train" — Consider approval of experimental "bike train" along Old Rail Trail to Reed Schools and related funding (Chief of Police Cronin) Chief Cronin gave the report. He said that one of the recommendations in the final report of CART, Community Action to Reduce Traffic, was the creation of an experimental Bike Train program to increase the number of students biking to school. He said that a CART subconunittee comprised of Councilmember Frank Doyle, Wendi Kallins of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) and the Chief of Police, agreed to pursue this idea. Cronin said that community members Frances Barbour and Kathy McLeod, members of MCBC and experienced cyclists, joined the group in several meetings over the summer. The Chief said that as a result of their studies, the subcommittee now requested the Town Council to consider approval and funding for this pilot program to allow it to run during the current school year. Chief Cronin described the `Bike Train ". He said it would be supervised by trained adults that would lead groups of students to and from designated downtown locations to and from Bel Aire School with stops at Reed and Del Mar School on Wednesdays during the school year, beginning on October 9, 2013 and ending on June 11, 2014. . Cronin said the goal of the program is to increase the number of bicycle riders to at least 15% of the Bel Aire student population (about 80 students). In 2012, he said that 6% (about 30) of Bel Aire students rode to school on their bicycles. He noted that evaluation of the program will be based on student surveys conducted in the fall of 2013 and spring of 2014. The Chief of Police said the program budget of $7,100.00 would be expended as follows: Conductors $3,000 Graphics and Web Development 1,500 Miscellaneous supplies 300 Zipper pulls 300 Printing 300 Mailing 200 Management & Oversight 1,500 Total $7,100 Cronin said the Town would fund the program pending receipt of grant funding. He said the Tiburon - Belvedere Rotary Club has approved a grant of $575 and noted that Town staff has submitted applications to the Belvedere Community Foundation for $2,000 and to the Marin County Board of Supervisor's Community Service Fund for $5,000. If approved as submitted, he said these grants would fund the entire program; decisions on the grant applications are expected in October. If unsuccessful, the Chief said the Town would need to make up any shortfall, potentially exposing the Town to an expense of $6,525. Town Council Minutes #13 -2013 September 4, 2013 Page 2 The Council asked some questions about the program. Councilmember Slavitz asked if the Bike Train went only in one direction, from downtown Tiburon to Bel Aire School. The Chief said yes, that the Bike Train would start in downtown and the idea was the other bikers would join in along the way. Mayor O'Donnell asked how the parents of students would be notified of the program. The Chief said that the school district would publicize the program and that they had an extensive parent e -mail contact list. Vice Mayor Fredericks asked how the young bicyclists would get to the meeting place(s). The Chief said that they would come in whatever way was convenient to their parents, and that the subcommittee was working on other safe meeting places along the way, some of which were on private property. During public comment, Wendi Kallins of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) answered questions. She gave credit for the idea of the Bike Train to Councilmember Doyle. She said the Coalition had two certified instructors (on bicycle safety) and would provide insurance to the Town. She said the bicyclists would register for the program and would be issued zipper pulls for identification. She said that each one would also receive a family membership to the MCBC. Ms. Kallins said they were looking for a logo for the program and asked the Council or Town for any suggestions. She said they would also coordinate the program with the International Walk to School Day on October 9. Councilmember Fraser suggested that they might use a rail theme to coincide with the Bike Train traveling along the Old Rail Trail. Mayor O'Donnell asked whether the program would run, rain or shine. Ms. Kallins said that it would. Vice Mayor Fredericks asked whether once a week would attract enough kids to the program. Ms. Kallins said they wanted to start the program initially at once a week in order to create a critical mass and generate interest among the kids that this is "the place to be". Councilmember Doyle said that one problem the subcommittee had tried to solve was the issue [for parents] of children having to cross Tiburon Boulevard. The Chief noted that the number one concern expressed by parents was safety. Ms. Kallins agreed, and said that some parents would ride with their kids to school and others might drop them off at the "meet" locations. She said that most of the shopping centers and churches [the private property locations previously mentioned by the Chief] were supportive of the program. The Chief pointed out that these locations did not conflict with existing bus stop locations. Town Council Minattes #13 -2013 September 4, 2013 Page 3 Councilmember Slavitz asked how the success of the program would be measured. Ms. Kallins said that the Bike Train conductors would maintain kid counts and would compile information at the end of the program year. Town Manager Curran reiterated that this was an experimental program and that the CART committee wanted to put resources into the program on a one time basis to ensure its success. She noted that the program was being run, in part, by volunteer efforts, and that the goal was to have it be all volunteer in the future. Ms. Kallins added that half of the program cost was for start-up costs and half was for program management. Councilmember Fraser commended Councilmember Doyle, Chief Cronin, and Ms. Kallins for their efforts. He said that he was part of the CART committee, and while there was no "silver bullet" solution to traffic on the boulevard, this program would ensure that there were at least a few less vehicles on the road. He also commended the subcommittee members, Frances Barbour and Wendy Kallins, MCBC, and others. Councilmember Doyle also commended the CART committee, subcommittee members and volunteers, and MCBC members, including Kathy McLeod, who was also in the audience. Mayor O'Donnell added his commendations for the program, as well. Councilmember Slavitz said that it was a great idea, and built on the idea of the "Walk N Roll" days when his children were in school. Vice Mayor Fredericks asked if there was anything the Council could do to help promote the program. Ms. Kallins said that it would be helpful to have someone from the Council come out on the inaugural day, October 9. The Vice Mayor said she would be happy to do so. MOTION: To approve funding as recommended in the staff report, and authorize execution of the contract with the Marin County Bicycle Coalition to administer the program. Moved: Fraser, seconded by Fredericks Vote: AYES: Unanimous 2. Homeowner's Summit Format — Discussion of proposed structure for "candidate's forum" at October 22, 2013 Homeowner's/Neighborhood Association Summit Meeting (Town Manager Curran) Town Manager Curran gave the report. She said that because the November Town Council election had been cancelled, several members of the Council, at the previous Town Council meeting, had suggested a "candidate's forum" be held in conjunction with the upcoming Neighborhood Association Summit on October 22. Manager Curran said that the evening could Town Council Minutes #13 -2013 September 4, 2013 Page 4 be characterized as a "Community Forum" which would include a time for direct interaction with the "candidates ", namely the three incumbent Councilmembers who were appointed in lieu of an election, as well as Planning Commissioner Erin Tollini, who was appointed to fill the remainder of Dick Collins' term and who will take office in December. Manager Curran said that in addition to the outreach to the neighborhood associations, staff could do additional outreach in the Ark, Tiburon Talk, and place a sign at Blackie's Pasture, to attract a wider audience to "come meet your candidates". The Town Manager suggested that a question box be placed at the back of the room and that each appointee might give a brief statement and then floor would be opened to general questions. She said this could be done within a hour or so at the beginning of the meeting, and then the meeting could return to the regular neighborhood association summit agenda. Vice Mayor Fredericks asked if the format for questions would follow the "candidate's forum" protocol in which each candidate is allowed to answer each question, and who goes first is rotated among the panelists. Fredericks noted that in this format, the questions are moderated and not be directed to a particular panelist. She also said that since the Council all worked together, it might be helpful to be able to "punt" a question to another panelist. Mayor O'Donnell concurred, noting that some questions might be best answered by members of Council subcommittees who had worked on various issues. He gave an example of the Dairy Knoll project, for instance. Mayor O'Donnell also offered to moderate that portion of the evening. Councilmember Fraser had a slightly different take on the evening and suggested that some residents might want to raise an issue with a particular councilmember on a particular issue. He said this would not be unworkable, in his opinion. Mayor O'Donnell stated that he hoped the evening would take place in a "gentlemanly fashion ". Town Manager Curran asked if the Council wished to consider a third -party moderator to field the questions, and whether interim Councilmember Jeff Slavitz might be interested in serving in that role. Councilmember Slavitz and the Council concurred with this recommendation. MOTION: To approve an amended "Community Forum" format, and appointing Councilmember Slavitz as moderator. Moved: Fredericks, seconded by Doyle Vote: AYES: Unanimous 1. 510 Ridge Road — Appeal of Design Review Board approval of a site plan and architectural review of a new single- family dwelling, with variances for reduced front yard setback Town Council Minutes 913 -2013 September 4, 2013 Page 5 and excess lot coverage (Planning Manager Watrous) — continued without Bearing until October 2, 2013 Appellant: Bruce Breitman, 600 Ridge Road Address: 510 Ridge Road Owners: Paul Wong and Julie Huh AP No.: 059 - 091 -24 Mayor O'Donnell voiced his support of the new Marin Transit District shuttle service and said it was important to promote it. He said that there had been a suggestion to name it the 'Shark Shuttle" to garner interest. Town Manager Curran said that CART had talked about this with the Director of Operations who was reluctant to paint anything different on the sides of the shuttles for various reasons. She noted, however, that Betts had said it might be possible to use something on the electronic sign. Vice Mayor Fredericks said the shuttle service was being promoted on the Reed School District's website, and the Town Manager said that it was being promoted on the district's email distribution list, as well. Chief Cronin noted that the shuttle conveniently stops in front of Del Mar School and the inbound bus stops at the Blackfield Drive intersection [vicinity of Bel Aire School]. TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT None. WEEKLY DIGESTS ® Town Council Weekly Digest August 23 & 30, 2013 There being no further business before the Town Council of the Town of Tiburon, Mayor O'Donnell adjourned the meeting at 8:07 p.m. A&� EMMETT O'DONNELL, MAYOR A74,,�zx, IANE C NE OPI, T WN CLERK Town Council Minutes #13 -2013 September 4, 2013 Page 6